VEX RED2nd August 2001Just a handful of the band's influences include Silverchair, Nine Inch Nails and Faith No More. If you were to fuse their influences together, add a little Bush and a tincy bit of Pitchshifter (I think) then you can imagine a recipe for the Vex Red album Shakedown. As the band appear on stage you can sense a kind of buzz or a fresh new excitement about them, like every gig is a learning experience. Even though they are the first British band to be signed by Ross Robinson they seem to have kept their laid back "we're here to do what we've got to do" type attitude, which the audience picked up on straight away. Because the music is so diverse there is something for everybody in this live act. Soft mellow starts are followed by a build up of intense heavy rock riffs which continue with frontman Terry Abbott's voice breaking out into a mixture of powerful vocals. Breaks in the songs keep the music alive, as there is a hesitation of breath in each tune, waiting to see what they will pull off next. The drummer, Ben Calvert, had the ferocity and sheer enthusiasm for an energetic performance. This helped to establish a strong and focused stage presence. The bass lines laid solid foundations for the rest of the band to work with. This could clearly be seen in their confidence and attitude to performing live. On top of this pounding musical backbone, the 3 guitarists really gave their unique sound that little bit extra in delivering loud and punchy chords - much like Spinal Tap's guitarist having amplifiers that went up to 11 instead of 10 - Vex Red’s 3 guitar line up really gave them that 11 factor.  The vocals complemented the unique sound. It makes a refreshing change to hear a more clear and melodic vocal over a deep and plunging guitar. The vocals, which have been described as "not unlike Silverchair's Daniel Johns", make Abbott's talent shine through and make it apparent that his style could be put to anything Vex Red may wish to experiment with in the future.Keyboards were also introduced on stage delivering samples and loops, giving them a professional edge. Contributing to this was the excellent timing that the band managed to maintain, working as a tight knit group throughout the performance. Although the audience Vex Red had consisted of people with contrasting tastes ranging from metal, punk, rock and indie, they still managed to captivate the crowd and keep them interested as there was a little bit of everything. Proof of this was the audience being content enough to take a step back and take in the atmosphere the band created. It will be interesting to see what sounds the album will bring us. With a set lined up for the Reading Festival and a live performance going out on Steve Lamacq's Evening Session on Radio 1, this band is definitely one to keep your eyes and ears open for. Gem.L, GIMPmag. |